That is an easy one for me. I own 1 SIG. A P226.

- the 226 actually beat (barely) the M9 (92) in military trials and lost to Beretta on the package unit cost.

- it is old school DA/SA goodness.

- it is drop safe and won’t discharge unless you command it to.

- mine is a newer model with the E3 enhanced grip. Older P226’s are a bit porky in the grip.

- the USA newer made 226 has a forged and machined one piece slide. Nitrided over stainless steel.

- it’s the ONLY SIG I own.

 

That is an easy one for me. I own 1 SIG. A P226.

- the 226 actually beat (barely) the M9 (92) in military trials and lost to Beretta on the package unit cost.

- it is old school DA/SA goodness.

- it is drop safe and won’t discharge unless you command it to.

- mine is a newer model with the E3 enhanced grip. Older P226’s are a bit porky in the grip.

- the USA newer made 226 has a forged and machined one piece slide. Nitrided over stainless steel.

- it’s the ONLY SIG I own.

View attachment 263573

View attachment 263574

I have a thing for the loser. 92f(at)s(lob)

 

If you gave me that choice, I’d take a 226 all day every day and twice on Sunday.

 

P226.

The 226 has the better record for use and reliability. The 320 is suffering from many lawsuits and complaints, whether warranted or not. I own the 320 and a Legion 226 Sao. I prefer the 226.

 

@maddmatter1970 , for all practical purposes the 92/M9 and the P226 tied during testing. Some sources cite SIG as winning, others contest that and said they tied. I was on my way to buy a 92 and the P226 in the case beside it was on sale.

The military should have kept the M9 and upgraded the platform. SIG is good at one thing for sure, selling to the Government.

I wouldn’t think twice about owning an M9. Even if I needed to deal with Beretta for service issues.

 

I like it. Mine and ones I have used, always kept me as honest as I can be. I just always feel stuck. Safe, but stuck. Beretta are snobs. But, they make a good product.
Sig..... I love my axil made sig branded muffs!
And the civilian grade m17 ammo is pretty good!

 

If you girls are done comparing bra sizes, I’ll chime in.

P226 all the way. Better balance, way better trigger, safer carry characteristics. P320 Legions were made to be safe queens.

There are 2 kinds of Sig guys; the fanbois, and those of us who really appreciate the classic P series pistols based on experience. I would take the 226 over the 320 every time - pretty much every true Sig enthusiast I know would - and the P320 isn’t bad, it just ain’t anything special.

Personally, I like Sig’s DASA actions a lot. The 226 has 4 variants; SAO, DAO, DAK, and DASA.

All of the Legions are nice… The P320 X5 is heavy, with a heavy trigger pull. Many of the guys who bought the P320’s with the tungsten grip (to actually shoot) actually ditched it, while others prefer it. I’m neutral on that aspect.

Both guns are solid.

 

If you girls are done comparing bra sizes, I’ll chime in.

P226 all the way. Better balance, way better trigger, safer carry characteristics. P320 Legions were made to be safe queens.

There are 2 kinds of Sig guys; the fanbois, and those of us who really appreciate the classic P series pistols based on experience. I would take the 226 over the 320 every time - pretty much every true Sig enthusiast I know would - and the P320 isn’t bad, it just ain’t anything special.

Personally, I like Sig’s DASA actions a lot. The 226 has 4 variants; SAO, DAO, DAK, and DASA.

All of the Legions are nice… The P320 X5 is heavy, with a heavy trigger pull. Many of the guys who bought the P320’s with the tungsten grip (to actually shoot) actually ditched it, while others prefer it. I’m neutral on that aspect.

Both guns are solid.

How is the DAK different from the DAO (double action only)? Thanks!

 

The 226 would be my choice without question. I've owned a 320 and while it's a decent firearm, at least for me it isn't super special. The 226 on the other hand is legendary for its performance and reliability. While I've not owned a 226, the P228, P229, and P220 have all graced my doorway and I have nothing bad to say about any of them.

My P229r, although it now wears a set of E2 grips.

As to the Beretta's mentioned, while the 92 and I are well acquainted, I'd take a serious look at the PX4.

 

Diggin the input, all. Funny sidetrack on the 92FS. I like em ok ...friend of mine had a beautiful Italian one that I shot way back when they were all the rage. It's cool, but not for me, personally. I much prefer the Sig's decocker frame mounted where it is which, imo, is freakin perfection ...both where it is placed and in its operation. Which is one reason --of many-- why I love my p220.

OK, so I have an old P220 (folded steel German) that is not only my favorite shooter, but serves HD and occasional range time. Glorious feel and balance in hand, shoots right where I point it, ridiculously good accuracy with the stock sights ...and I feel "at home" with it since I've had it/shot it so long.

So there it is, my quandary! I naturally gravitate toward the P226 as my choice here. But I ran into a P320 XFive in Legion form used at a decent price! Some months ago killin time at my local LGS, I had played around with one on a lark and was absolutely taken aback because it didn't feel like that 320/365 vibe at all! This Legion had weight, balance, and an overall solidness in that tungsten frame that made me think, hmmm this is really nice and "substantial," not unlike my 220! Then I racked the slide: what the heck, was this thing greased on glass bearings?, just wow! And the trigger on dry fire was waaaaay better than Sig's strikers, like not even comparable (though I wish I did a side-by-side comparo with the 226/220s). Overall, I was impressed by the whole package, impressed because I wasn't expecting to be, as if the entire piece was a wholly different gun and a "320" in name only. Wasn't gonna buy it because, well "Legion" pricing, lol! But now with this used one I see that isn't beyond reach....

More back story to the mix: I miss my old P226 that was stolen decades back, but getting the 220 made up for it, of course. Now that I am retired, I am entertaining getting a current-gen P226 (or 228/229 if the right one came along) just because; because I can, lol! Yet the siren call of that 320 Legion and its niceties makes me think, pause, doubt: am I missing something? Do I want something different because I already have an old P gun? Can a new piece of shooting tech be a fun and interesting addition? Oh yeah, btw, this is for range consideration only, zero EDC use as that base is covered.

So there it is, beans spilled, my choice. And all the silly and unsolicited mental meanderings, or baggage, really. Hoping to hear something from you fine enablers to sway me one way or the other. The consensus thus far is toward the 226 so I gotta ask: anyone here ever feel a 320 XFive Legion in hand or are you siding with the old P out of familiarity? It's a fair question, right?


Edward

 

I gotta ask: anyone here ever feel a 320 XFive Legion in hand or are you siding with the old P out of familiarity?

I dove into the P320 pool last summer. X Five Legion and the M18. The Legion didn't float my boat and went down the road. I quickly became disenchanted by its size and weight. A big, heavy gun for a 9mm. I prefer a smaller handgun. I still have the M18 and like it for what it is. I love my Sig P220 far more.

If you decide to get that used Legion I would carefully check it out. Sigs web site has a section that explains the major safety design upgrade that was initiated around 2017. They show how to visually see if the particular gun is current design or has been recalled and upgraded. Very important. I would not even load a pre 2017 320 that has not had the safety modification. If it is a pre 2017 that hasn't been upgraded you can use that for a a bargaining point. Sig will upgrade it for free.

Bepe

 

Thanks, Bepe, for your feedback as a former owner of both!

So you found the size and weight of the XFive Legion off putting, but as a guy who digs his 220, you love the latter, presumably because its weight/size is preferable. I personally have not had any interest in the standard 320, so it's also interesting to me that you like your M18 but not the Legion variant. Which I get, of course; preferences are what they are and need not be defended! Just interesting is all. Over the counter, the 320 felt just "meh" to me and neither offensive nor alluring, but the Legion felt great, especially the slide action. All of which says little versus shooting them, of course, but that was my takeaway from mere handling.

Fwiw, the 320 snafus of old are not lost on me, so yeah I'm wary of that, but a good reminder nevertheless. Big thanks for your impressions!!


Edward

 

but as a guy who digs his 220, you love the latter, presumably because its weight/size is preferable.

More so because it is a hammer fired action. I'm not particularly crazy over striker fired guns. First issued semi at work was a P229. Short barreled 226. I had a chance to buy that gun when we transitioned to the next generation and I passed. I still kick my butt to this day. It was a early 90's manufacture and a tack driver.

Over the counter, the 320 felt just "meh" to me

The Legion is a nice pistol. Just didn't light my fire. I have the M18 for my SHTF 9mm. I wanted a safety and red dot capability and my Glock 19x didn't have either. The Glock went to a buddy and I set up the M18. Trijicon integrated optic plate with raised night sights that are viewable through the RMR. Wilson Combat grip module. Checks a few more boxes than the 19x did.

Still a plastic disposable that says......"meh".

Bepe

 

^^^Hahaha, Bepe! Great rundown of the M18 ...ending with "disposable" and meh! Hilarious, but I get it! Thanks for the details, I appreciate that! FWIW, my Glocks always sit ready as the "what if feces happens" guns. Except I actually like them far more than "meh," lol!!

Well, for anyone interested, my decision had been made for me: the Legion (at a good used price) is gone ...sold to another! Yessss! Glad and relieved as I was already gravitating toward the 226, and now I don't have to feel like I was "missin out." It's only a matter of time before a 226 joins the ranks and --I can only hope to presume-- be as outstanding a shooter and companion as my ol' faithful 220! The DA had never hindered my first shot, and I actually enjoy it: despite the heavy pull it is a smooth and seamless ride to the break. And the SA is what other guns out of the box should strive for; simply stellar, not only for non-modified but superb in its own right. Glad that Legion sold as my path is now clear.

Thanks for all the input, all! It's always nice to hear perspectives from the gallery!

Edward

 

Great rundown of the M18 ...ending with "disposable" and meh!

Only reason it is in the safe is because I can't get 21 round mags for my P220.

my decision had been made for me

Maybe a good thing....I think you'll be more than satisfied with the 226. My take on the Legion after purchase and initial range trip was that it is a target or competition gun. I don't compete and my SR1911 fills the target roll much better. I much prefer to shoot that or my P220 for a range outing.

The DA had never hindered my first shot, and I actually enjoy it: despite the heavy pull it is a smooth and seamless ride to the break.

My 220 has a DA pull that is like butter. Wouldn't bother me in the least if it was DA only.

Enjoy the new purchase and keep us filled in on range trips.

Bepe

 

You didn't state what you where using the pistol for? I have and love the P320 X5 Legion for target practice. It is too heavy to carry, but the trigger is super light, pistol is super accurate and no recoil.

 

I sold a lot of Sigs but have only shot my 365, but my impression handling them is that the 226 vs 320 is very similar to a 1911 vs a Glock and I do not like Glocks.

 

I too have a 92 that shoots like a laser. Son owns the PX4 and did the Langdon trigger in the bag, it’s a shooting machine! He caries it now over his G17. More fuel for the fire!

 

I have also considered getting a P226 and/or Beretta 92 series. I really like the Wilson Beretta with the 4.25" barrell, but can't afford that one just now. I already have a Sig P229 .40sw/.357 Sig (both barrels), P220 Carry, and M11-A1. I also have a Sig 320 X-Carry that came with the factory mounted Romeo1 Plus optic, but it pretty much stays in the safe.

 

I currently own one Sig Sauer which is a P226 Elite and has the SRT.